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Definition 2024
先斬後奏
先斬後奏
See also: 先斩后奏
Chinese
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early; prior; former; in advance; first
!behead; chop
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back; behind; rear; afterwards; after; later
!present a memorial |- !trad. (先斬後奏) | 先 | 斬 | 後 | 奏 |- !simp. (先斩后奏) | 先 | 斩 | 后 | 奏 |- !Literally: “behead first, report [to the emperor] later”. |}
Idiom
先斬後奏
- to act first and report later; to act first and seek permission therefor later
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- 皇上御賜龍虎狗三口鍘刀，本府有先斬後奏之權。如何審不得你？ [MSC, trad.]
- 皇上御赐龙虎狗三口铡刀，本府有先斩后奏之权。如何审不得你？ [MSC, simp.]
- From: Justice Bao
- Huángshàng yùcì lóng hǔ gǒu sān kǒu zhádāo, běnfǔ yǒu xiānzhǎnhòuzòu zhī quán. Rúhé shěn bùdé nǐ? [Pinyin]
- His Majesty granted me these three guillotines of canine, tiger, and dragon, by which I am authorised to kill first, report later. How can't I put you on trial?
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